Amateur-built THORP S-18 accident near Ash Fork, Arizona, July 26, 1993
On July 26, 1993 at about 10:45 pm local time, a amateur-built THORP S-18, registered N119FF, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ash Fork, Arizona. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilots inadequate compensation for wind conditions and failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during a precautionary landing, that resulted in collision with a fence and nose over of the airplane. A cross wind condition was a factor in this accident.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 26, 1993 · about 10:45 pm local time
- Place
- Ash Fork, Arizona · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built THORP S-18
- Registration
- N119FF · registry record · serial 119
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
DURING A PERSONAL CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT THE PILOT REPORTED EXPERIENCING SEVERE TURBULENCE AND STRONG CROSS WIND CONDITIONS THAT RESULTED IN AN ENGINE SURGING CONDITION IN THE PILOT'S HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE. THE PILOT DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING ON A ROADWAY NEXT TO AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AND IT DEPARTED THE ROADWAY AND STRUCK A FENCE. THE AIRPLANE THEN NOSED OVER.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 588 hours in all; 356 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 304 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, February 13, 1993; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-H2AD (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: WJF Lancaster CA at 8:50 pm
- Destination: FLG Flagstaff AZ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 12 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 10:50 pm from PRC, 35 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.